In an age when immediate results for prospects are weighed heavily in public rankings and coverage, it’s easy to lose sight of the reason the minor leagues exist. Developing players is paramount to organizational success these days, and the ability to make players better has become a larger investment for teams.
Pitchers, in particular, can see quick results from a few months of work. And while there are many ways a pitcher can improve—new pitches, improved shapes or simply training command—the easiest way to improved results is tried and true—adding velocity.
With that in mind, we’ve compiled a list of every minor league pitcher who 1.) threw 100 or more fastballs in each of the last two seasons and 2.) added at least 2 mph of velocity in 2025. While not all of these players enjoyed more productive seasons because of their velo gains, most of them did. And there are quite a few notable breakouts to be found, as well.
Baseball America subscribers can read the full list below, followed by takeaways on key players.
Top Fastball Velocity Gainers For 2025
(NOTE: * denotes a player’s primary fastball is a 2-seamer instead of a 4-seamer)
| player | org | throws | 2024 Velo | 2025 velo | velo gain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jostin Florentino | CHC | R | 84.9 | 90 | 5.1 |
| Andres Herrera | COL | R | 88.4 | 93.1 | 4.7 |
| Irvin Gonzalez | CIN | R | 87.7 | 92.3 | 4.6 |
| Joe La Sorsa* | CIN | L | 87.2 | 91.7 | 4.5 |
| Hudson Leach | HOU | R | 91.7 | 96.1 | 4.4 |
| Joel Lara | NYM | R | 90.1 | 94.4 | 4.3 |
| Yoesmerli Beltre | SD | R | 89.1 | 93.4 | 4.3 |
| Javier Perez | HOU | R | 87.1 | 91.4 | 4.3 |
| Baron Stuart | NYY | R | 91.5 | 95.8 | 4.3 |
| Jaitoine Kelly | AZ | R | 88.3 | 92.6 | 4.3 |
| Baron Stuart* | NYY | R | 91.2 | 95.5 | 4.3 |
| Wilian Bormie | TEX | R | 92.3 | 96.5 | 4.2 |
| Carter Baumler | BAL | R | 91.1 | 95.3 | 4.2 |
| Jose Ortega | SD | R | 87.6 | 91.6 | 4 |
| Antonio Florido | DET | R | 92.1 | 96 | 3.9 |
| Adrian Ardines | HOU | R | 87.3 | 91 | 3.7 |
| Leonardo Rossel | DET | R | 89.6 | 93.2 | 3.6 |
| Merlin Bido | BOS | R | 89.5 | 93.1 | 3.6 |
| José Rodríguez | LAD | R | 92.8 | 96.3 | 3.5 |
| Jonathan Russell | TB | R | 91 | 94.5 | 3.5 |
| Cody Laweryson | MIN | R | 90.2 | 93.7 | 3.5 |
| Lender Bracho* | SF | R | 87.3 | 90.8 | 3.5 |
| Esteban Mejia | BAL | R | 95 | 98.3 | 3.3 |
| Jesus Lafalaise | TEX | R | 92.5 | 95.7 | 3.2 |
| Madinson Frias | BOS | R | 90.8 | 94 | 3.2 |
| Cristian Navarro | SD | R | 86 | 89.2 | 3.2 |
| Maikel Rodriguez | MIA | R | 88.8 | 91.9 | 3.1 |
| Yuliangel De La Cruz | LAD | R | 90.7 | 93.8 | 3.1 |
| Juan Mieses | HOU | R | 90 | 93.1 | 3.1 |
| Jose Parra | ATH | L | 88.2 | 91.3 | 3.1 |
| Franklin Gomez | NYM | L | 89.5 | 92.6 | 3.1 |
| Jhonan Coba | DET | R | 89.9 | 93 | 3.1 |
| Reiver Camacho | COL | R | 88.2 | 91.3 | 3.1 |
| Franklin Gomez* | NYM | L | 88.4 | 91.5 | 3.1 |
| Yimi Presinal | KC | R | 92.2 | 95.2 | 3 |
| Edgar Leon | LAD | R | 89.7 | 92.7 | 3 |
| Danery Meyer | SEA | R | 89.4 | 92.4 | 3 |
| Brian Fitzpatrick | MIL | L | 89.9 | 92.9 | 3 |
| Rordy Mejia | SD | R | 88.9 | 91.9 | 3 |
| Liam Simon | SF | R | 93.8 | 96.7 | 2.9 |
| Clayton Beeter | WSH | R | 93.1 | 96 | 2.9 |
| Hunter Furtado | PIT | L | 90.8 | 93.7 | 2.9 |
| Oswal Rodriguez | KC | R | 89.3 | 92.2 | 2.9 |
| Joseph Herrera | SD | L | 88.1 | 91 | 2.9 |
| Eminen Flores | TOR | R | 92.4 | 95.3 | 2.9 |
| Eduar Gonzalez | TOR | L | 87.4 | 90.3 | 2.9 |
| Antwone Kelly | PIT | R | 94.2 | 97 | 2.8 |
| Gordon Graceffo | STL | R | 92.5 | 95.3 | 2.8 |
| Daury Vasquez | AZ | R | 92.2 | 95 | 2.8 |
| Paul Wilson | DET | L | 90.9 | 93.7 | 2.8 |
| Douglas Orellana | NYM | R | 91.3 | 94.1 | 2.8 |
| Eddy Felix | DET | R | 90.5 | 93.3 | 2.8 |
| Xiomer Guacache | DET | R | 88.9 | 91.7 | 2.8 |
| Luis Andujar | BAL | R | 86.5 | 89.3 | 2.8 |
| Juanmi Vasquez | TOR | L | 88.5 | 91.3 | 2.8 |
| Christian Oppor | CWS | L | 92.2 | 94.9 | 2.7 |
| Riley Cornelio | WSH | R | 91.6 | 94.3 | 2.7 |
| Santiago Peraza | CLE | R | 90.5 | 93.2 | 2.7 |
| Chaury Gomez | NYY | R | 89.8 | 92.5 | 2.7 |
| Josue Silvestre | NYY | R | 90.2 | 92.9 | 2.7 |
| Tzu-Chen Sha | ATH | R | 88.5 | 91.2 | 2.7 |
| Mitch Farris | LAA | L | 87.8 | 90.5 | 2.7 |
| Bernard Mack | STL | L | 88.1 | 90.8 | 2.7 |
| Austin Troesser | NYM | R | 91.1 | 93.7 | 2.6 |
| Jesus Flores | MIL | R | 90.6 | 93.2 | 2.6 |
| Sam Weatherly | COL | L | 90.6 | 93.2 | 2.6 |
| Trevor Rogers | BAL | L | 89.6 | 92.2 | 2.6 |
| Gerinton Mendez | MIA | R | 88.3 | 90.9 | 2.6 |
| Franco Zabaleta | ATH | L | 84.3 | 86.9 | 2.6 |
| Yohandry Gonzalez | BOS | R | 89.7 | 92.3 | 2.6 |
| David Rodriguez | ATL | R | 87.9 | 90.5 | 2.6 |
| Jack Jasiak | CLE | R | 91.9 | 94.4 | 2.5 |
| Brandon White | MIA | R | 91.2 | 93.7 | 2.5 |
| Luis Carias | LAD | R | 92.3 | 94.8 | 2.5 |
| Luis De La Torre | SF | L | 91.2 | 93.7 | 2.5 |
| Biembenido Brito | COL | R | 90.6 | 93.1 | 2.5 |
| Jose Feliz | WSH | R | 87.4 | 89.9 | 2.5 |
| Carlos Rodriguez | DET | L | 86.5 | 89 | 2.5 |
| Walin Castillo* | MIA | R | 90.9 | 93.4 | 2.5 |
| Joel Peguero* | SF | R | 97.5 | 100 | 2.5 |
| Pedro Reyes* | PHI | R | 90.6 | 93.1 | 2.5 |
| Joey Lucchesi* | SF | L | 89.2 | 91.7 | 2.5 |
| Joel Peguero | SF | R | 97.6 | 100 | 2.4 |
| Yhoiker Fajardo | BOS | R | 92.1 | 94.5 | 2.4 |
| Erik Rivera | BOS | L | 91.1 | 93.5 | 2.4 |
| Benny Thompson | LAA | R | 91.6 | 94 | 2.4 |
| Joe Barlow | TEX | R | 91.6 | 94 | 2.4 |
| Wifrailyn Jaquez | PIT | R | 91.3 | 93.7 | 2.4 |
| Caleb Boushley* | TEX | R | 89.8 | 92.2 | 2.4 |
| Elvis Alvarado* | ATH | R | 96.5 | 98.9 | 2.4 |
| Jesús Palacios* | BAL | R | 90.6 | 93 | 2.4 |
| Jose Garces | PIT | R | 92.2 | 94.6 | 2.4 |
| Liam Norris | AZ | L | 89.2 | 91.6 | 2.4 |
| Cristian Aray | SEA | R | 87.7 | 90.1 | 2.4 |
| Marlon De La Cruz | WSH | R | 91.1 | 93.4 | 2.3 |
| Geury Rodriguez | TEX | L | 91.1 | 93.4 | 2.3 |
| Josbel Garcia | PHI | R | 92.2 | 94.5 | 2.3 |
| Keywill Cedeno | COL | R | 90.9 | 93.2 | 2.3 |
| Eliseo Mota | DET | R | 90.7 | 93 | 2.3 |
| Gilbel Galvan | BOS | R | 90.3 | 92.6 | 2.3 |
| Javier González | BAL | R | 89.4 | 91.7 | 2.3 |
| Oliver Gonzalez | LAD | R | 89.4 | 91.7 | 2.3 |
| Michael Trausch | TEX | L | 89.5 | 91.8 | 2.3 |
| Cole Wilcox* | TB | R | 93.4 | 95.7 | 2.3 |
| Moises Rodriguez | DET | R | 95.3 | 97.5 | 2.2 |
| Chance Huff | WSH | R | 92.8 | 95 | 2.2 |
| Jose G. Gonzalez | SF | R | 92.5 | 94.7 | 2.2 |
| Ricardo Velez | STL | R | 91.6 | 93.8 | 2.2 |
| Christian Rodriguez | NYM | R | 91.6 | 93.8 | 2.2 |
| Andy Fabian | BAL | L | 91.2 | 93.4 | 2.2 |
| Blane Abeyta | ATL | R | 91.8 | 94 | 2.2 |
| Nic Swanson | HOU | R | 90.5 | 92.7 | 2.2 |
| Colby Langford | HOU | L | 88.6 | 90.8 | 2.2 |
| Efrain Cubilla | COL | R | 87.3 | 89.5 | 2.2 |
| Orlando Gonzalez* | PHI | R | 91.3 | 93.5 | 2.2 |
| Brycen Mautz* | STL | L | 90.7 | 92.9 | 2.2 |
| Carlos Martorella | COL | R | 88.9 | 91.1 | 2.2 |
| Jake Faherty* | MIA | R | 95.4 | 97.6 | 2.2 |
| Will Bednar | SF | R | 92.8 | 94.9 | 2.1 |
| Erigaldi Perez | CLE | R | 90.1 | 92.2 | 2.1 |
| Wilmis Paulino | COL | R | 89.6 | 91.7 | 2.1 |
| Enixon Sanchez | NYY | R | 89.6 | 91.7 | 2.1 |
| Austin Smith | COL | R | 94 | 96.1 | 2.1 |
| Gage Stanifer | TOR | R | 92.2 | 94.3 | 2.1 |
| Yoandys Veraza | BOS | R | 90.9 | 93 | 2.1 |
| Joey Lucchesi | SF | L | 89.7 | 91.8 | 2.1 |
| Brandon Herbold | KC | L | 87.5 | 89.6 | 2.1 |
| Jhancarlos Lara | ATL | R | 96.7 | 98.7 | 2 |
| Carlos Mateo | PIT | R | 95.8 | 97.8 | 2 |
| Jesus Travieso | BOS | R | 92.7 | 94.7 | 2 |
| Kendeglys Virguez | CLE | R | 95.3 | 97.3 | 2 |
| Franco Aleman | CLE | R | 94.3 | 96.3 | 2 |
| Luis Beltrán | BAL | R | 93.9 | 95.9 | 2 |
| Emerson Hancock | SEA | R | 93.5 | 95.5 | 2 |
| Robby Snelling | MIA | L | 92.2 | 94.2 | 2 |
| Kevin Velasco | BAL | R | 91.2 | 93.2 | 2 |
| Yohandri Contreras | ATH | R | 90.7 | 92.7 | 2 |
| Jean Robles | WSH | R | 90.1 | 92.1 | 2 |
| Andy Basora | KC | R | 91.2 | 93.2 | 2 |
| Austin Cox | ATL | L | 90.5 | 92.5 | 2 |
| Jose Lopez | NYM | R | 90.7 | 92.7 | 2 |
| Erick Matos | ATH | R | 88.7 | 90.7 | 2 |
| Irving Cota | NYM | R | 90.7 | 92.7 | 2 |
| Jose Golindano | BOS | L | 89 | 91 | 2 |
| Julian Barboza | COL | R | 89.4 | 91.4 | 2 |
| Brett Wichrowski* | MIL | R | 91.2 | 93.2 | 2 |
Velocity Gainer Takeaways
- There are a number of breakouts listed among the top velocity gainers, but the Cubs’ Jostin Florentino stands alone. In addition to having one of the best sliders in the minors, the 20-year-old righthander gained over 5 mph on his fastball this season to top the list. His velocity is still below-average, but his results took a significant jump in 2025.
- Some other top breakouts from the 2025 season listed among the velocity gainers include Esteban Mejia, Antwone Kelly, Christian Oppor, Luis De La Torre, Yhoiker Fajardo, Gage Stanifer and Robby Snelling. There’s little doubt that the power added to each of these pitchers’ arsenals resulted in improved performance.
- The top of the list is littered with complex-level players. Andres Herrera, Irvin Gonzalez and Jose Ortega are all Dominican Summer League repeaters, but each have seen gains in their second or third seasons on the circuit.
- Astros righthander Hudson Leach went undrafted out of Miami (OH) back in 2023 and saw 4+ mph velocity gain in 2025. The jump in stuff coincided with his best season as a professional, as he reached Triple-A by the end of the season.
- DSL repeater Yoesmerli Beltre enjoyed a breakout campaign in his second summer with the Padres. He saw a jump in fastball velocity, and his results improved accordingly. Over 19 appearances spanning 21.2 innings, Beltre struck out 26 batters while pitching to a 1.66 ERA.
- The Astros signed Javier Perez out of Mexico in January 2024, and is his first season stateside he saw a 4+ mph jump in average fastball velocity. He made 19 appearances between the Astros’ Florida Complex League affiliate and Low-A Fayetteville, pitching to a 2.88 ERA with 70 strikeouts against 11 walks in 68.2 innings.
- Jaitoine Kelly saw a 4+ mph jump in 2025 and had a solid season in his first stateside campaign with the Diamondbacks. Over 37 innings in 2025, the 18-year-old righthander from Aruba struck out 28 batters.
- Back in 2020, Carter Baumler was a later-round upside pick by the Orioles. It’s taken a few years for things to gel, but Baumler looks like he’s back on an MLB trajectory after moving to the bullpen last season. The 23-year-old righty saw his average fastball velocity jump from well below-average to above-average this season, and it now sits 95+ mph. In turn, Baumler pitched to a 2.04 ERA with 46 strikeouts over 39.2 innings.
The post Every MLB Prospect Who Added 2+ MPH Fastball Velocity In 2025 appeared first on College Baseball, MLB Draft, Prospects – Baseball America.
